Manchester-based food blogger, lover of all things food and drink.

Roasted butternut squash, pepper and pea risotto

Butternut squash is a vegetable I rarely ate until I met Rory. It always reminded me of pumpkins which I distinctly remember not enjoying. Then one night several weeks ago, Rory said he really liked squash, so I decided to try it. Cooking a fairly simple risotto from BBC good food, it was nice enough and the flavours were there, but after cooking it a few times I started to adjust the flavours and what went in my risotto until we created this recipe.

This risotto is still pretty simple, and I believe it is delicious, full of flavour and lots of different vegetables. I think it makes a really nice starter serving 4, or as a main meal serving 2. You could also replace the squash with chicken, and the recipe would still work well.

Peel and chop butternut squash into large chunks. The best method Rory and I use is to peel the squash, and then to chop the base off and scoop out the middle, chop into thick slices and then into lumps. Place a piece of foil in the roasting tin; add the squash and spray with low cal. spray. Place in middle of pre-heated oven for about 30 minutes, you want the squash to soften not crisp too much.

Prep the other veg (peppers, onion, and garlic). Tip: For the garlic, chop the end off, and then press down the side of the knife to crush the garlic, this will make it easier to peel. Also, chop the pepper up nice and thick so it does not disintegrate while cooking.

Make up the stock (800 ml) about 20 minutes after the squash goes in the oven. Next, heat up the frying pan on a medium to high heat, spray with low cal. spray and add the onions to soften. Fry for about 2 minutes, spraying more 1 cal. spray if needed. Turn down to medium heat and add peppers and garlic, fry for a further minute, and then add the risotto rice and fry for about 3 minutes.

* After 30 minutes take ¾ of the squash out of the oven and mash into a bowl and cover and leave on side. Turn oven down to about 140°c, place the rest back in the oven to crisp up. *

Turn the heat down to 3 and add the bay leaf. Slowly incorporate the stock, making sure after every addition to stir and let the rice absorb the stock. Make sure to do this section slowly to allow the rice to fully absorb all the stock; this will help with a thick delicious flavour.

Once all the stock is incorporated, taste the rice and check its cooked through, then add the mashed butternut squash, and the frozen garden peas. Let this heat through and then add the Crème fraîche and then add to bowls (leave out the bay leaf). Place the roasted squash from the oven on the top of the risotto to serve. Enjoy!

Simple! Such a great meal, very tasty and full of healthy vegetables. Find the print friendly version below.